Do-It-Yourself Construction of Resilient Houses in Disaster Prone Environments

ABSTRACT

An orthogonal framework including L shaped brackets connected to a hollow support tube by bolts and press nuts with the short leg of the brackets against the tube and the long legs extending therefrom and a pair of beams bolted to the long legs of the brackets provides an exceptionally strong framework made of exceptionally light structural elements which can be readily mass produced and assembled.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/160,186 flied May 12, 2015 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by Reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention represents an improvement in the original ORTHOGONAL FRAMEWORK FOR MODULAR BUILDING SYSTEMS which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,665. Key refinements have been made, while maintaining the achievement established by the prior invention, including:

1) Maximize the interchangeability of components;

2) Minimize handedness of components;

3) Maximize the ability to assemble many types of structures of varying size and configurations;

4) Maximize the ability of system components to be closed packed for inter-modal delivery, even to remote regions.

The overarching goal of the latest embodiments is to allow a structural enclosure to be erected by any able bodied person, using one simple tool, resulting in strong safe structures that are exceptionally resilient.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to enable a building structure to be expanded or partially dismantled while not disrupting the structural or weathertight integrity of adjacent connected self-supported frameworks and infill means attached thereto.

A further object of the invention is to achieve a rapid building enclosure which can be easily erected and made weathertight before subsystems such as electrical, plumbing and ventilation parts are installed.

Another object of the invention is to economize manufacturing costs by providing a framework of a minimum number of parts of uniform size and identical connecting means which can be used to construct a variety of building sizes and types.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structural framework composed of lightweight parts which can be erected straight and true by unskilled persons using common tools and generally available standard hardware.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means whereby a building framework can be assemble rapidly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a post or column to beam connector assembly which permits a varying number of horizontal beams to be employed in support of either floor or wall assemblies of varying materials, including wood, metal, glass, ceramic, and plastic.

Another object of the invention is to provide a building framework of high strength, and especially resistant to earthquake type forces, as is understood to be the case with properly secured and braced frameworks made of steel sections.

The above and other objects features and advantage of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation and a top exploded view of a base hub and associated L-brackets for the novel post and beam structure of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view and two partial elevational views of the ends of an end beam and a tee beam used in the invention;

FIG. 3 is a series of schematic plan views showing the various beam combination connections that can be made to the hub of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of a beam connection to an L-bracket and the base hub and the vertical post to be installed on the hub.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the connection of a top terminal hub to a post, L bracket and beam;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a shear or wall panel mounted to a post;

FIG. 7 is a series of plan sectioned views showing the steps of assembling beams and wall panels at a hub;

FIG. 8 is an devotional view of an assembled wall;

FIG. 9 is an exploded elevational view of an intermediate hub connection to upper and lower posts, and a bracket and beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates the interface between a foundation and the framework of the present invention. The BASE HUB 10 configuration is shown here with L shaped brackets for connecting beams to the HUB. These L-shaped brackets take the place of the original U-shaped brackets of the '665 patent. This results in many more possible beam-to-HUB arrangements. The present system uses stronger bolted connections devised through the use of press-nuts in the hub. In addition the HUB is shortened to match the depth of the C-section beams, typically 8 inches.

FIG. 2 shows the C-Section beams to be attached to the brackets. Both 90 degree corner interfacing beam types have butt-type ends. By extending the length of the L-bracket, the tab shown in FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,665 was eliminated. This simplifies beam fabrication and increases beam strength.

FIG. 3 illustrates an array of 24 HUB plan view diagrams using four components; HUB, L-BRACKET, END BEAM, and TIE BEAM. This illustrates the exceptional versatility inherent to the system of the invention.

There are 16 unique heard positionings on each side of the square tube (post).

FIG. 4 illustrates an additional stiffening of the braced steel framework which is required in regions subject to strong earthquakes and strong hurricanes. To provide added stiffness, a shear wall panel is provided that bolts to the HUBs (see FIG. 7). In order to attach the shear panels, four steel plates 20 are welded to a base plate to form a sleeve with 4 bolts on each side bifurcating the post face into two halves. This eliminates the prior sleeve that had the bolted attachment centered on the post. By arranging the four bolts in this manner, it is possible to secure the shear panel in place, as well as a steel channel for exterior wall assembly, which is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

Another important aspect of this new approach is that the post is hollow and has interior dimensions which allow it to slide over the HUB. The wall thicknesses, for both the HUB (the four vertical plates) and the post can be made thicker, as required to support, say, multiple stories. and again no prior embodiments are compromised in any way.

FIG. 5 illustrates a “TERMINAL HUB”, at he top of the posts. This HUB is identical to the base HUB, further amplifying economies in fabrication, and further simplifying the assembly process. Terminal HUBS would be used in structures designed with a flat roof.

FIG. 6 illustrates a SHEAR PANEL, and an EXTERIOR WALL CHANNEL. Both components are shown bolted to a post via the HUB. Multiple identical shear panels would be required in most framework applications. The shear panel design shown is similar to ones in use today, with the exception that a plate, with multiple bolt holes, is welded at the top for receiving C-section beams on both sides.

The purpose of the EXTERIOR WALL CHANNEL is to allow “boards” to be dropped in place from the top to enclose the structure. These “boards” could be made of many materials; wood, cement, metal sheathed foam boards, etc.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sequence of four steps in plan view, from positioning shear panels at the post, to a diagram showing how beams, wall channels and exterior enclosure means (planks) are situated.

FIG. 8 is an elevation of a typical 12 feet wide bay with all Mai components in place (not shown is required blocking on either side of the window, which would occur at the interior).

This illustration shows the framework positioned on a concrete slab. Since the system is post-and-beam, or post-and pier, it should he pointed out that the framework can readily he assembled with the floor elevated above the wound. This would be important in areas prone to flooding.

FIG. 9 illustrates an intermediate elevation hub the a second story structure.

In engineering parlance, the system of this invent is a “braced steel frame”. Prior to the present invention, such frames have used wall panels made of framing lumber and plywood to brace the frame. This approach requires a significant amount of time and knowhow to achieve adequate bracing, as well as additional tools. It is important to note that with the addition of a steel shear panel, the entire framework can be assembled using one human-powered tool, a combination spud wrench and ratchet, and with one type of fastener, a ½ inch diameter machine bolt. This is critical, of course, where access to electricity is sparse (or in many places non-existent, as in much of Haiti) and fasteners, except perhaps nails, largely unavailable.

With the addition of the shear panel illustrated here, the framework is adequately braced when assembly of the steel framework is completed, allowing do-it-yourselfers to install many kinds of enclosure means, and other items, to finish off the building over time, or when funds become available (typically done in poor regions). A completed framework could even be covered temporarily with tarps (for privacy).

A demonstrably safe structure. resistant to extreme natural forces, that can be constructed by unskilled people, is unprecedented.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments but that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An orthogonal framework comprising: a hollow square connecting tube having first and second ends, a plurality of bolt holes formed therein and press nuts secured in the interior of the tube aligned with said bolt holes, means in at least one end of said connecting tube for connecting a hollow square post to the connecting tube, a pair of L shaped brackets each having a long leg and a short leg, said legs having a plurality of bolt holes formed therein; a first plurality of bolts received in the bolt holes of said short legs of said brackets and threadedly engaged with the press nuts in the connecting tube; at least one pair of beams having opposed ends each having bolt holes therein aligned with the bolt holes on the long legs of said brackets; and a second plurality of bolts and cooperating nuts, said second plurality of bolts being installed in the boll holes of said long legs of the brackets and the aligned holes in said beams and engaged with said nuts.
 2. An orthogonal framework as defined in claim 1 including a hollow square post having at least one end dimensioned to fit over and receive said connecting tube.
 3. An orthogonal framework as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least one end of the post has bolt holes formed therein to allow bolting of the post to the tube.
 4. An orthogonal framework as defined in claim 3 including means for securing a wall panel to said beams, post and tube. 